The Beaten Path.

Chapter 13: Journey

Kelly POV

It's the next day, and Jarred and I have been alternating between walking and running in both our human and wolf forms. Right now, we're taking it easy on foot to give our wolves a break. However, Jarred has been getting on my nerves all day. All I want is to return to my pack and my mate.

"Stop your whining! I swear I should have just left you there for my father to deal with you!"

"Fuck you, Jarred! Did you think I'd be all happy-go-lucky that you saved me? Ha! Not a chance! I can't stand you! You're a spoiled, stuck-up, arrogant ass who only cares about yourself!"

"Like you're any better? You're a killer, Kelly. You're lazy, and I'm so glad you're not in the pack anymore!"

I stopped in my tracks, facing him. My anger boiled over, and I did the only thing I could—I punched him square in the jaw, a satisfying crack echoing in the air.

"Don't you dare call me a killer! I didn't kill my baby sister or my father! Do you have any idea what actually happened? Do you know how much this has affected me? No, you don't! You only heard what happened from my mother and your father!"

"Okay, tell me your side then!"

With that challenge, I poured out everything that happened that day. By the time I finished, my anger had subsided, and tears streamed down my face.

"Now you've heard the truth! So stop saying I killed them!"

"Wow, Kelly. I... I didn't know. I'm so sorry for how I treated you."

"I don't need your sympathy. I just need you to get me back to my pack and never call me a killer again! Also, don't call me lazy when I was the one doing all the chores in the pack, even after suffering abuse from you and everyone else!"

I started to walk away, but Jarred caught up to me.

We walked in silence for the next four hours until we stumbled upon an abandoned house.

"Kelly, stay here. I'll go in and check if it's safe for us to stay the night," Jarred said.

Before he could open the door, he froze, tilting his head as if he sensed something. Suddenly, the front door swung open, revealing a beautiful girl with medium-length brown hair, bright blue eyes, and tan skin.

She stopped dead in her tracks upon seeing Jarred. In that moment, it hit me—they had both found their mate.

"Mate!" they exclaimed in unison.

"Well, this is unexpected. Can we move this inside? I'm exhausted, and I'm sure you both want to get to know each other," I said.

"Umm, sure, I guess. Come on in," the girl replied, stepping aside to let us in.

We followed her into the living room.

"So, what are you both doing out here? There are no packs near me."

"Well, that's a long story," Jarred replied.

"It looks like we have all night. Why don't I make us something to eat while you share your stories?"

"Umm... okay. I'm Kelly. What's your name?"

"Nice to meet you, Kelly. I'm Faith. And what is your name, mate?"

"Jarred, beautiful," he said, and I noticed Faith's cheeks turn as red as a tomato—a cute sight.

"You're cute when you blush," Jarred teased as Faith moved to the kitchen.

I rolled my eyes, not at Faith, but at Jarred. It was unusual to see him act this way with anyone.

Faith prepared us steak, mac and cheese, dinner rolls, and green beans, setting three plates on the wooden table along with glasses of ice, juice, and Coke. We poured our drinks and began eating.